Eventing Nation had a post this morning about Teddy O'Connor. Sometimes, when I question whether Penny can jump something, I tell myself: Teddy went Advanced and she's the same height. Then I have to add, in my internal monologue, that Penny has no problem with jumps; it's my problem. She did jump 4'6" out of her corral from almost a standstill. Different than carrying a rider of course, but I really don't need to worry about her getting around BN fences.

While I say I have no ambitions past BN I occasionally fantasize about higher levels:
Novice? Likely doable.
Training? Possibly.
Prelim?  Oh goodness, what am I thinking?
Intermediate? Okay girl, now you're really dreaming, but if someone with experience wanted to take her...
Advanced? My husband letting me buy a $20,000 horse is more likely.

But then I think again of Teddy... Penny has a lot going against her, most of that being my experience. But if someone thought she could go Advanced if I'd let them? Oh yes, I'd let them. I'm never going to ride at Rolex, but if my Pony competed that would be pretty awesome.

I dream big. I've always dreamed big. But then I don't follow the dreams because when I've achieved them others like to make me feel like a villain because I have. I'm getting over this (thank you therapist) and it's really what Year of the Pony is about. It's about dreams and hopefully achieving them and not letting anyone make me feel small about it.